Soundcard for recording?

[geuben]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a better setup.

I want it firstly to record an album on.

Ill have about £500 (going to uni) to spend building it from scratch and want at least to be able to run up to 20 quality audio tracks and some midi tracks during recording without having any buffer issues.

If possible to be able to update the midi patches to a more professional sounding set for a better sound (who wants general midi on an album!).

Most importantly need to be able to record directly in to the comp.

I'l more than likely go for a silent case as il be recording at uni and using the comp for tv at night etc...

Can anybody recomend a good sound card and possibly spec a system to go with it?
Thanks.

 

[MoodyB]

E-Mu 0404 or M-Audio Audiophile 24/96. Both around £55-£70 afaik.

 

[AndyS_UK]

yeah i have the emu 0404 and can recommend it. works fine for me. i only occasionally record with it though now. other than that, i use cubase 3 with no problems on my system which is based on the athlon xp 1400+ so i dont think you can really go wrong with the rest of the setup... core 2 duo should do.

the audiophile card is quite an old card (but that's not necessarily a bad thing) while the emu is relatively new.